Big George

March 10, 2009 | Tasha

Big George by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Matt Phelan

George Washington was a tall, shy boy who loved to spend time on his own in the woods. He learned from his half brother to be a Virginia gentleman, and loved to read books about ancient Roman heroes like Cincinnatus. George grew into a man who worked on mapping the colony, loved the outdoors and excelled at sports, but he didn’t like to talk. He could never find the right words unless he was angry. Throughout this fascinating picture book, readers discover Washington’s path to greatness and history. It is an unlikely and intriguing story of the first President.

Rockwell’s Phelan’s illustrations offer glimpses into moments in history. Washington’s shock of red hair lends a different feeling to the history, as does seeing him as a boy who does more than chop down a cherry tree. This is a much more human and therefore more interesting person. Rockwell does well capturing history fully even though she is brief and concise.

Great for classroom use for President’s Day, this book will also find an audience amongst children who prefer nonfiction. Appropriate for ages 6-7, younger for reading aloud.

Testing…

March 10, 2009 | Tasha

Just testing my remote blogging software, Windows Live Writer.

And to make this post useful, I want to mention that if you were registered to post on the old site, you will have to register again. Sorry about that!

Welcome to WordPress

March 9, 2009 | Tasha

Welcome to the new format of Kids Lit. Hope you like it!

All of your feeds should work well, but please let me know if you see something odd. We are working to fix things, but sometimes you catch things I don’t.

Thanks for your understanding in case things go horribly wrong.

Because I Am Furniture

March 9, 2009 | Tasha

Because I Am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Anke lives in fear of her father and his wrath. He abuses her brother and sister in a variety of ways, but Anke is invisible to him. He pays her no attention at all. She begins to wonder what is worse, abuse or being completely ignored as if she is nothing. Then Anke joins the volleyball team at school and finds her voice. Her growing strength of body and spirit means that she can no longer be the silent witness at home. Told in poems, this novel explores the damage of abuse in a family and what happens when one person changes her role.

Chaltas’ poems capture small scenes in Anke’s life, adding up together into a full picture of a teen girl and the strange world she survives in. There are poems that hurt to read, changing the way breath moves out of your body. The poems are built to ebb and flow, not all have that crippling pain in them, allowing readers to breathe once more. But all carry the knowledge of a tortuous existence. Beautifully written, wonderfully paced and vividly done.

Recommended for readers of A Child Called It, this book uses poetry to bring emotions and pain directly to the reader. Not for the faint of heart, this book is powerful and bleak, but will leave readers with hope in the end. Appropriate for ages 14-17.

Freeze Frame

March 9, 2009 | Tasha

Freeze Frame by Heidi Ayarbe

Kyle can’t remember what happened in the moments before his best friend Jason died. He tries to write the scene many different ways in the styles of his favorite film directors, but nothing fills in that blank in his memory. Did he mean to kill his friend? What happened in those few seconds? And why can’t he remember?

Ayarbe’s first novel is a dark nest of tension, doubt and fear. Her ingenious use of film and novels as a language to psychology will make the book very accessible to teens who enjoy movies. Kyle is a fascinating protagonist who feels such guilt for what happened, no matter his own personal role in it. His family’s reaction as well as the reaction of Jason’s family is so well done and gut wrenching that it could be a novel of its own. Beautifully, taut writing with great characters. No one could wish for more.

I just have to mention the inclusion of a vivid school librarian who is a large part of Kyle’s recovery. What a joy to have the librarian be not only a character but an intriguing and strong one.

Highly recommended for teens who enjoy a good psychological mystery. Even better if they enjoy films too. Appropriate for ages 13-16.

Flying Eagle

March 9, 2009 | Tasha

Flying Eagle by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray

In rhyming couplets, the story of an eagle hunting in the Serengeti National Park is told. He has been hunting all day for food to feed his chick back in the nest but has had no luck. Now it is sunset and different animals come out in the emerging darkness. Readers will see hippos, rhinos, gnu, crocodiles, and even a human with a gun! How can the exhausted eagle father find food with all of the dangers he faces?

The poetry is grippingly brief, making this a great book to share with young children looking for an African adventure filled with animals and danger. Ray’s illustrations are deeply colored, evocative of the African world, and depict the tension of the book perfectly.

Recommended for both African and poetry units, this book is a tense tale told with vibrancy and depth. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

March 6, 2009 | Tasha

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems.

Willems newest is a satisfying and funny picture book, just what we have come to expect from him. Wilbur is a naked mole rat who prefers to wear clothes, something unheard of in the mole rat society. Wilbur doesn’t understand why there is anything wrong with clothes, so the other mole rats go to complain to Grand-pah who was very wise. He thought for some time and then decides to make a proclamation. Wilbur heads to the proclamation wearing only blue socks, knowing that it is very important and not wanting to overstep in the fashion arena. You will have to read the book to find out what Grand-pah said!

Willems’ text and illustrations are entirely typical of his charming, disarming, funny and clever style. He has smart asides to the audience, illustrations that will work with a group, and of course the thrill of the NAKED mole rats. Lovely stuff that is sure to be a hit with the preschool crowd.